Rufus K. Polk

Rufus King Polk was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1902.

Biography

Rufus K. Polk was born in Columbia, Tennessee, the son of Confederate States Army Brigadier General Lucius E. Polk and great-nephew of Leonidas Polk.

Education

He attended Webb's Academy in Culleoka, Tennessee, graduated from Lehigh University in South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1887, and took a post-graduate course in mining engineering.

Career

He settled in Danville, Pennsylvania, and was employed as a chemist. He held supervisory positions with several steel companies and ultimately became engaged in the manufacture of structural iron.
He was a delegate to the 1900 Democratic National Convention.

Spanish-American War

He served as first lieutenant of Company F, Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish–American War.

Congress

Polk was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Congresses and served until his death in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Death and burial

He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Danville, Pennsylvania.